Today (20 December 2018), Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, received Christian Danielsson, Director-General of the European Commission for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations. In their discussion, the partners primarily talked about the post-election developments in Bosnia and Hercegovina and the current situation in the region of the Western Balkans. With regard to Bosnia and Hercegovina, the minister underlined that political leaders of the country should now focus on establishing the legislative and executive power as soon as possible so that the country can increase its reform efforts. “The elected officials should now, in a constructive way, start dealing with the challenges that the country has been facing, including the restoration and intensification of the reform and integration processes,” emphasized the head of Slovak diplomacy. The partners also pointed to the need for both adapting the legislative framework and improving the overall political and social climate in the country. They also agreed that next year will be decisive since this is – when the European Commission is expected to give its opinion on the application of Bosnia and Hercegovina for EU membership.

Minister Lajčák underscored that it is of permanent interest to Slovakia that the countries of the Western Balkans are internally stable and capable of solving the challenges linked to reforms and the changing international environment. Miroslav Lajčák and Christian Danielsson expressed their support of the reform endeavours and integration processes in the region of the Western Balkans in line with their European prospects.